The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), in partnership with Bergen County officials, held an emergency food distribution on Thursday to assist federal workers and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

CFBNJ, the state’s largest anti-hunger organization and the primary supplier for about 800 food pantries, began distributing 2,000 boxes of shelf-stable food and 2,000 boxes of fresh produce early Thursday morning.

More than 1,000 families lined up to receive the supplies, many expressing gratitude for the help.

“It’s hard telling your child that you don’t have any food,” said Davida, a Bergen County SNAP recipient. “As a parent, whatever food is in there, I’ll let my kids eat before I do.”

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said he hopes the situation improves soon but that the county will remain prepared to respond.

“We hope that Washington does the right thing,” Tedesco said. “But at the end of the day, we’re going to be prepared to continue this forward — to do this again and again if we have to.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that SNAP recipients will receive 65% of their benefits this month, up from an earlier estimate of 50%. The department has not yet said when those payments will be distributed.